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Organochlorine and PBDE Concentrations in Relation to Cytochrome P450 Activity in Livers of Forster’s Terns (Sterna forsteri) and Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia), in San Francisco Bay, California

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Abstract

We measured halogenated organic contaminants (HOCs) [polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT)] and P450 [e.g., ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD)] stress in livers from Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) adults and Forster’s tern (Sterna forsteri) adults and chicks in San Francisco Bay (SFB). Penta BDEs and tetra PBDEs composed 46–66% of ∑PBDE in terns. PCB homologues di, tri, penta, hexa, and hepta composed 93–95% of ∑PCBs and p′p-DDE composed 82–98% of all ∑DDTs. We found similar concentrations of ∑PBDEs [mean micrograms per gram wet weight (ww) ± standard error = 0.4 ± 0.1], ∑PCBs (5.9 ± 1.6), and ∑DDTs (0.6 ± 0.1) among species, sexes, and regions. However, concentrations were higher in Forster’s tern adults than chicks (∑PBDEs = 0.4 ± 0.1 and 0.1 ± 0.1; ∑PCBs = 7.08 ± 2.4 and 2.4 ± 1.4; ∑DDTs = 0.5 ± 0.1 and 0.1 ± 0.1; respectively), and there was a nonsignificant trend of elevated ∑PBDEs and ∑PCBs for adult Forster’s terns in the Central South Bay and Lower South Bay portions of SFB. Combined Forster’s tern and Caspian tern ∑DDTs bioaccumulated similarly to selenium, but not mercury, and there was a nonsignificant but positive trend for ∑PBDEs and ∑PCBs bioaccumulation with mercury. P450 protein activity was higher in adult Forster’s terns than Caspian terns, higher in Central South Bay than in Lower South Bay, and higher in adult Forster’s terns than in chicks.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the CALFED Bay Ecosystem Restoration Program (grant No. ERP-02D-C12). We appreciate the support and cooperation of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge staff (Special Use Permits 11640-2005-002 and 11640-2006-006). We thank Robin Keister, Sarah Stoner-Duncan, John Henderson, and Cathy Johnson for field and lab work; Susan De La Cruz, Mark Ricca, and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments on previous drafts of this manuscript. The use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Davis Field Station, Western Ecological Research Center, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Garth Herring, Joshua T. Ackerman & Collin A. Eagles-Smith

  2. Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Garth Herring

  3. Environmental Contaminants Division, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento, CA, 95825, USA

    Terrence L. Adelsbach

  4. US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12011 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, MD, 20708, USA

    Mark J. Melancon, Katie R. Stebbins & David J. Hoffman

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  1. Garth Herring
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Herring, G., Ackerman, J.T., Eagles-Smith, C.A. et al. Organochlorine and PBDE Concentrations in Relation to Cytochrome P450 Activity in Livers of Forster’s Terns (Sterna forsteri) and Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia), in San Francisco Bay, California. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58, 863–873 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9366-z

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